Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
The leader of Biafra Independence Movement (BIM), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has come under fire as a number of groups, organizations and individuals have berated him for visiting Kaduna State to plead for one Nigeria shortly after Igbo in the north were given quit notice.
Describing his action as a show of shame, the groups, which included the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), said that by what Uwazuruike did he had finally destroyed himself and vindicated MASSOB that expelled him from the group about two years ago.
Speaking to Sunday Sun on the issue, MASSOB leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu said the group had dissociated itself, name, image and its genuine representation of the people of Biafra from the Judas-like sabotage of Uwazuruike.
He said, “It is very, very shameful and uncultured for Ralph Uwazuruike who had lost and still loosing the trust and confidence Ndigbo bestowed on him to shamelessly visit Arewa House in Kaduna claiming to speak for Ndigbo.”
Madu stressed that Uwazuruike’s shameless visit to Kaduna for a meeting with the oppressors and enemies of Biafra that he allegedly had been romancing with since September 2013 was another open evidence that he was not working for Ndigbo or Biafrans in general.
The MASSOB leader advised members of Uwazuruike’s BIM who still believe in the genuine struggle for Biafra actualization and restoration to immediately leave BIM and rejoin their former pride, MASSOB now.
On Uwazuruike’s claim in Kaduna that he sacked or suspended the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from MASSOB, Madu said that it was Nnamdi Kanu that left him when he found out that Uwazuruike had deviated from the Biafra struggle and was pursuing personal interests. He stressed that Nnamdi Kanu has been positively consistent in championing the Biafra cause.
“The Arewa People are using Uwazuruike for media propaganda to create a confusing impression among Ndigbo and Biafrans in general. They know that Uwazuruike is no longer in control of Igbo masses, this Arewa people also know that his BIM is not popular among Ndigbo, that’s why he claimed MASSOB being a household name among Ndigbo, if possible, Uwazuruike would have claimed the leader of IPOB in his shameless visitation to enemies of Ndigbo.
“To be more honest, MASSOB is not surprised about Uwazuruike’s sabotage and sell out which he shamelessly determined to engage in as a means of making wealth to the detriment of his BIM, though the people of Biafra are not taking him serious, he is living on the past glory.
“As an Igbo sell out, Uwazuruike has found solace in romancing with the Arewa people through Alhaji Hamza Al-Mustapha, Alhaji Shettima Yerima and Alhaji Mohammed Abacha with a promise to sabotage efforts that bring well-being of Ndigbo which he failed to achieve.
“As one who knows Uwazuruike in and out, I can tell you that he is a desperate man who always plays the spoiler in every achievement that he will not take the glory; he always sees himself as the lord of Ndigbo. He can never support or identify with another person who has greater idea or more honour than him.
“Uwazuruike as a failure has continued in to fail in sabotaging the collective interest of the people of Biafra. He failed in sabotaging the May 30 sit-at-home exercise in commemoration of golden jubilee anniversary celebration of Biafra declaration by General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, he also failed in commanding the respect and followership of the people of Biafra. He continues to fail in stopping the people of Biafra from returning home because of the quit notice by the people of Arewa. Uwazuruike will continue to fail because his third name has become failure.
“MASSOB sees his continuous romance with Major Hamza Al-Mustapha as a deal struck for Mustapha’s presidential ambition in 2019 general election, he has made his usual promise to Mustapha for Igbo support in his presidential election. MASSOB wish to remind Mustapha that Uwazuruike never won any election for all the candidates he used MASSOB to support in the past when he was the leader. He used MASSOB then to dupe Ikedi Ohakim in 2011, Ifeanyi Uba in 2014, Emeka Ihedioha in 2015, Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 and other several senatorial and House of Representatives candidates, none of them won their elections. MASSOB also wish to remind Mustapha and Uwazuruike that there will be no Nigeria election in Biafra land in 2019.”
Madu said his group was still studying the forthcoming Anambra state governorship election and consulting with other groups in the struggle so as to have a common stand.
He said, “On Anambra state election later this year, MASSOB is still consulting and meeting with other genuine Biafra agitation groups mostly the IPOB and Lower Niger Congress to take a common ground and decision on the coming governorship election if it will hold or not.”
A journalist with one of the national dailies, Okey Maduforo while reacting to Uwazuruike’s Kaduna show said, “I regard Uwazurike’s visit to Al-Mustapha as a visit by a friend to a friend. Nobody in Igbo land sent him as a delegation to speak for Ndigbo and whatever he might have said there does not represent the views of Ndigbo.
“Uwazuruike’s actions in recent times as regards the independence of Biafra speak volumes of a man that has chosen to cut of his nose in other to spite his face. What it also means is that throughout his reign as MASSOB leader before he lost his deposit in the struggle was more of a Chinese revolution which means drinking tea for the interest of the masses.
“He caught the picture of a contrive general who at the peak of winning the battle made a volte face by abandoning the independence of Biafra to become one of the campaign managers of former President Goodluck Jonathan. His utterances against Nnamdi Kanu are a pointer to the fact that he has lost followership, focus and point of departure for the wellbeing of Ndigbo.”
For the leader of Igbo Women Association, Chief (Mrs.) Maria Okwor, Uwazuruike’s Kaduna outing was a charade, nauseating, horrifying and despicable.
She said, “While pretending he was fighting for our people, he led thousands of Igbo youths to their early graves so he could live in opulence and luxury, today his closest ally is the infamous Al Mustapha. He has finally destroyed himself.
“Igbo women will protest against him in the coming days. He is a big shame. It is high time he is banned in Igbo land. We will meet to decide on sanctions on him. Uwazurike should cover his face in eternal shame. His unending greed drove him to irrelevance. He is now seeking relevance, after he destroyed himself by countering the May 30th sit-at-home order, and was ignominiously ignored. Our people do not want to hear his name again.”
The Eastern Consultative Assembly (ECA) in its reaction to Uwazuruike’s Kaduna visit said the BIM leader’s alleged current effort to sabotage the freedom of the people would bring him regrets.
In its statement signed by the Publicity Secretary, Rev. Fr. John Odeh, ECA said, “Uwazurike’s very disgraceful outing with Al Mustapha in Kaduna was a public confirmation, that Uwazuruike never believed in our people’s freedom. He has been trading with the blood of Igbo youths for two decades. For him, it’s all about money, money and more money.
“Nobody is fooled, our people know that the oppressor, whose agent he has always been, funded his trip to Kaduna, because he can do anything for money. He destroyed himself, when he countered and viciously opposed the May 30th sit-at-home protest. Our people unanimously consigned him to the dustbin of history, by complying 100 per cent, thereby covering Uwazuruike with shame.
Uwazuruike’s current effort to sabotage the freedom of our people will bring doom on his head. He has gotten away with so many things in the past that he has begun to take our people for granted. He should know that our people are watching his moves and his cup is about to fill up.
For Igbo Students Union, they asked Uwazuruike to desist from sabotaging the people’s freedom by conniving with the oppressor.
The President of ISU, Comrade Chimezie Ubani said in a statement said that the BIM leader had deceived the people for several years, pretending to be genuine. The group said that it had become completely tired of Uwazuruike’s game.
Chairman, South East Christian Network, Bishop Mike Ibeneme in his response called on Christians all over the East to pray and fast for Nnamdi Kanu, noting that Uwazuruike out of jealousy and hatred wants to create problem for Kanu.
He said, “Uwazuruike allowed greed to destroy him. Now he is bitter over Kanu’s popularity. We hereby warn him to steer clear of Kanu. Kanu is our hero, our leader, our guide. We shall follow him all the way because he is true and sincere.”
